Wind-motor



No. 625,296. Patented May l6, I899.

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WIND MOTOR.

(Application filed Apr. 80, 1898.) {No Ilodol.)

4 Sheets-Shoot I.

Patented May [6, I899. J. ELNIFF.

WIND MOTOR.

(Application filed Apr. 80, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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WIND MOTOR.

(Application filed Apr. 80, 1898.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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Patented May l6, I899. J. ELNIFF.

WIND MOTOR.

(Applicnion filed Apr. 30, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (No Nuclei.)

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ELNIFF, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

WIND-MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,296, dated May 16,1899.

Application filed April 30, 1898.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN ELNIFF, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State ofColorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVincLMotors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referenceboin g had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in wind-motors; and it consists ofthe features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described andclaimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2is a section taken through the same on the line A A, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is ahorizontal section taken through the framework, disclosing the powermechanism, the superstructure being removed and the parts being shown ona larger scale. Fig. at is a front end view of the apparatus, showingthe end from which the wind enters, the doors for controlling the windbeing closed. Fig. 5 is a rear end view of the machine, the doors beingclosed. Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line B B, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is atop view of the drum or inner track, illustrating the manner ofconnecting the frame to the journal-box of the shaft upon which theapparatus is adapted to turn. Fig. 8 is a section taken through thejournal-box of the powershaft.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in theseviews, let the numeral 5 designate a suitable frame upon which istrunnioned the wind-wheel 6, consisting of closed end walls 6 and fans 6attached to radial arms 6. The entrance of the wind for the purpose ofoperating the apparatus is controlled by doors 7, hinged to oppositesides of the front end of the frame. The length of these doors is aboutone-half the height of the frame. Below the doors the entrance to thewheel is closed by a casing 8, whose outer wall Serial No. 679,322. (Nomodel.)

is inclined inwardly from the base of the frame, whereby it is adaptedto direct the wind upon the wheel above the center of the latter. Thiscasing 8 covers the power-transmitting mechanism, hereinafter described,to which access is gained by means of a door 8. (See Fig. 1.)

To the top of the frame 5 is attached a device 9, hinged to the frame,as shown at 10, at a point to the rear of the upper extremity of avertical diameter passed through the wheel. The function of the deviceis to retain or hold the wind in contact with the fans of the wheel, andthus prevent its escape at the rear until its entire force has beenexpended. The rear end of the frame is provided with rigid sideextensions 12, located at the top. Below the parts 12 are doors 13,hinged to the frame and adapted to control the draft of air through thewheel from front to rear. These doors may be fastened open by means of asuitable locking device, hereinafter described, or they may be closed orpartly closed at pleasure, according as the operator desires to controlthe wind. The rigid extensions 12 form a sort of tail to the apparatus,having a tendency to keep it in line with the wind. These extensions,together with the doors 13, are also utilized in turning the apparatusas the direction of the wind changes.

The frame 5 and its supporting mechanism are adapted to turn around avertical shaft 15 as a center by the power of the wind. This shaft islocated in front of the main frame 5 and is journaled in a stationarydrum 16, located beneath the casing 8. To the base of the frame 5, atits rear extremity, are attached two bars 17. The rear extremities ofthese bars are respectively attached to opposite sides of the frame. Asthese bars extend forwardly they approach each other, their forwardextremities being connected and journaled on the journal-box 15 of theshaft 15, thus permitting the frame to be turned freely around the saidshaft as a center. To the rear extremity of the frame are attachedtrackwheels 18, which engage a circular track 19, whose center is theshaft 15. To the forward extremity of the frame are attached othertrack-wheels 18, which engage a small circular track 20, formed on thedrum 16 and having the shaft 15 as its center. This shaft forms thepower-shaft of the motor, and from it the power developed by the wheelis transmitted underground to any machine to be operated thereby.

To the top of the shaft 15 is made fast a horizontal pulley 21, aroundwhich is passed an endless wire cable 22, which passes around thecircumference of the wind-wheel 6, engaging a groove 6 formed therein atone end. Between the pulley 21 and the wind-wheel are locatedidler-pulleys 23 and 24, which are journaled on the frame in horizontaland vertical positions, respectively,and act as guides, holding thecable to run in the end plane of the wind-wheel. The idler 23 isadjustable for the purpose of regulating the tension of the cable.

Below the pulley 21 and also made fast to the shaft 15 and inclosed bythe drum 16 is a pulley 25, around which passes an endless cable 26,which may pass to a pulley (not shown) mounted on a counter-shaft,whereby the power developed may be utilized for operating machines ofany kind.

Each door 7 is provided with a rod 7, which is connected with the doorat one extremity, its opposite extremity being adapted to hook intosockets 5 attached to the framework 5. A number of sockets 5 areemployed, whereby the door may be locked in any desired position ofadjustment. The rear doors 13 are locked in the open position by aslide-bolt 13", engaging sockets 12 on the rigid extensions .12. Thedoors 13 are locked in the closed position by ordinary devices, as ahasp and padlock. (See Fig. 5.)

Having thus described my invention, what Iclailn is 1. In a wind-motor,the combination with a suitable frame, of a wind-wheel trunnionedthereon and consisting of radial fans and closed end walls, and awind-retaining device mounted on the frame above the wheel and locatedto the rear of its vertical diameter, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a wind-motor, the combination of a suitable frame, a wind-wheeljournaled thereon, doors hinged to the front end of the frame forcontrolling the entrance of the wind to the wheel, the front entrance tothe wheel being closed below the center, doors hinged to the rear end ofthe frame and extending from its base upwardly, the upper rear portionof the frame being provided with rigid extensions, and suitable meansfor transmitting the power developed by the wheel.

3. In a wind-motor the combination of a suitable frame of a wind-Wheeljournaled thereon and consisting of radial fans and closed end walls,the front entrance to-the wheel being closed for a distance equal tohalf the vertical diameter of the wheel whereby the wind is allowed tostrike the fans only on one side of the axis.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN ELNIFF. Witnesses:

A. J. OBRIEN, EDITH I-IIMsWoRTH.

